RELATIVS AND THEIR POLY CATEGORICALITY IN THE CONTEXT OF A TWO-COMPONENT THEORY OF THE ASPECT

Abstract

Introduction. Analyzing the Ukrainian language aspect studies reveals a spectrum of investigation perspectives. One of them is distinguished in the complex approach to the category of aspect as a dynamic and integrated multi facet phenomenon. It fully determines investigating the aspect grammar not solely but in lieu with other components of the aspect theory, mainly with aspect classes. Purpose. Specifying the Ukrainian verb aspect classes, dividing Wendler’s states into “states” and “approaches”, i.e. stative and relative aspect classes correspondingly, singling out the typology of relative situations; presenting the necessity of regarding different aspect categories beyond the frame of a purely aspectual binary system, not simplifying their status quo, and as well assuming their homogeneity in the aspect analyzing process towards the aspectual properties of the lexical semantic spectrum in the verb lexeme. Methods. Complex aspectual diagnostics as integrating methods that presume motivated application of logical, component, word-building, oppositional and distributive analyses, selection of native correlative discourse samples etc. Results. Among Ukrainian verbs relatives are regarded as lexemes with “the least verbal” meanings of the off-tense relations. Expressing the action most generally without any relation to the moment of action or to any other time boundaries, they meaningfully acquire stative features and the adjective meanings. Relatives stay in the periphery as verbs in general and also as functional semantic zones of aspectual properties. The relevant features of the relative nature are: 1) the absence of tense location (non- episodic character) revealed as impossibility of actually continual, durative, iterative and usual functions; 2) non-oppositional and uneventful character of lexical semantics, fixed by the absence of any aspectual partners, both in the aspect and in the action. Originality. In the Ukrainian language theory the objective approach to the aspectual category and the binary aspect theory are featured in a most general way that appeals for further linguistic investigation of grammar and vocabulary interaction in the research for the Ukrainian verb aspect. Conclusion. Objective approach to investigating the verbal aspect perspectives, focused on the opposed grammar and lexical features, is certain to involve the necessity for the detailed research of the relations between the aspect category and the context.